“Technological innovation can help the transition to a more efficient and sustainable European transport system by acting on 3 main factors: vehicle efficiency through new engines, materials and design; cleaner energy use through new fuels and propulsion systems; better use of networks and safer and more secure operation through information and communication systems.” (Ref: CO_0194)

The technology development can be assumed as a key driver with respect to all the domains introduced in this project. Broadly speaking, it is acknowledged that whatever the improvement is designed, it potentially could enhance people’s well-being; moreover, consequent and related benefits may arise in manifold and even unforeseeable manners.

Firstly, when referring to the transport sector, technology advancements and processes of innovation diffusion are expected to reduce impacts generated by environmental externalities. In this respect, improvements of vehicles design, material and traction technologies, as well as pollution abatement methodologies will be investigated to figure out how they can contribute within the plan.

Secondly, the survey will be focused on innovation efficiency gains that could also provide tangible improvements when dealing with scarce resources. Technology advancements reveal positive impacts also when relating them to the economy field, not only about potential economic growth, but also referring to the labour market. In particular, attention will be devoted in finding the assumptions under which the labour force could enjoy benefit from labour-intensive technologies that are supported by continuous innovation processes.

Interest will be diverted also to the spatial effect of innovations, since technological and industrial clusters are more likely to foster the economic growth of the regions wherein they operate (e.g. agglomeration economies).

Following the conclusions of the economy domain, the survey will also consider technology advancements with respect to what economics argues for example on GDP variations, as reliable indicator to represent the very gains of efficiency.

Effects of innovations ought to be verified also under the social perspective, when considering the influence on people lifestyle, because the direction along which the interaction occurs is not clearly identifiable at a first glance. Advancements influence how people is accustomed to behave by modifying their current habits; for example, access to the worldwide web did not arisen from consumers needs, even though it has deeply influenced lifestyle ever after. On the other hand, individuals ask (sometime unwittingly) for technological goods that provide a better quality of life (e.g. advanced health care services, teleworking, etc).

A final point will deserves attention, namely how R&D is financed to support the advancements designed.